The bundle of veterans helped the New York Jets to a 10-win mirage-filled season. Not only did it fall one win shy of a playoff berth, but it also served as a cautionary professional football tale.

Four years later, a similar story may be unfolding.

Never are championships gained through free agency. Rarely are teams built through the open market. It rather serves as the outer layer, the completion of the depth chart that requires an already-set nucleus served through youth.

The win difference turns out as a mere 40 between 35 teams over the last seven seasons. Think about this. The five highest-spending organizations over the last seven seasons have only combined for 40 extra victories via the following season—a little over one per team.

Considering all of the money, all the talent, there’s no way 40 should be the number.

New York Jets Free Agency Tracker

The reports rage on surrounding the Jets and free-agent stud Le’Veon Bell.

Reports that the front office is divided on Bell remain unsubstantiated. Conflicting news remains. The same can be said for the team’s actual interest in the running back. In fact, recent reports have surfaced that Bell’s market isn’t as robust as expected.

The most recent report comes from Connor Hughes of The Athletic who suggests the Jets have given Bell a deadline.

The #Jets have given Le’Veon Bell a deadline to decide if he is going to sign or not, per sources. They’re not waiting forever.

C.J. Mosley has agreed to a five-year, $85 million deal with an incredible $51 million guaranteed. The reported contract makes him the highest-paid inside linebacker in NFL history.

The Jets overpaid for Mosley’s services. There’s no getting around it.

Luke Kuechly‘s average per year sits at $12.359 million. What’s worse is that his fully guaranteed money is a measly $27 million. Bobby Wagner‘s average per year number is $10.75. His guaranteed money equals $8.977 million.

(AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Mosley, 26, will be 27 by the time camp opens. There’s no questioning his talent. The four-time Pro Bowl inside backer is one of the beasts at his position.

With both Avery Williamson and Darron Lee in tow, the Mosley acquisition doesn’t bode well for the latter, who is already rumored as fallen out of favor with the organization.

The Minnesota Vikings literally have no money to operate this offseason. The total cap space comes in at a paltry $9 million (mainly due to Kirk Cousins‘s insane cap hit). How they’ll keep Barr remains to be seen. Serious maneuvering will soon commence in SKOL land.